General Travel Info of Bhutan

This page provides important information to help you plan and prepare for your journey to Bhutan. We do our best to update this information regularly. Please contact us to clarify anything and help plan your trip to Bhutan

All tourists visiting Bhutan are required to travel through an authorized tour operator on a pre-planned, pre-paid, guided package tour. Independent travel is not permitted. The government stipulates a high minimum all-inclusive entry fee per day. The tour operator is responsible for all logistical arrangements during your stay in Bhutan.

Bhutan’s landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the sub-alpine Himalayan heights in the north, with some peaks exceeding 7,000 meters (23,000ft). The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism, and the population of 691,141 is predominantly Buddhist, with Hinduism the second-largest religion. The capital and largest city is Thimphu. In 2007, Bhutan made the transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy, holding its first general election. Bhutan is a member of the United Nations and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); it hosted the sixteenth SAARC summit in April 2010. The total area of the country has been reported as 38,394 square kilometres (14,824 sq mi) since 2002. The area had previously been reported as approximately 46,500 km2 (18,000 sq mi) in 1997.

Get in/Get out by Air: The national air carrier, Druk Air, operates several flights per week from Kathmandu, Bangkok, Delhi and Kolkatta to Paro that offers spectacular views of the highest mountains in the world. Paro International Airport is about an hour drive from the capital city, Thimphu.

Get in/Get out by Land: The only land entry point for tourists is through Phuentsholing, on the southwestern border with India. If special arrangements are made it may be possible to enter and exit via Samdrup Jongkhar in the east.

Best Season to visit Bhutan: Bhutan has four seasons in a year; winter from December until February, spring from March to May, summer from June to August and autumn from September until November. The altitude range, from subtropical valleys to alpine peaks, and its busy festival calendar means you can pretty much visit Bhutan at any time of the year to explore its attractions and witness colourful festivals.

The ideal time for trekking and for travelling throughout the country is autumn, from late September to late November, when skies are generally clear and the high mountain peaks rise to a vivid blue sky. While the climate is best in autumn, in Bhutan an umbrella is usually never far from reach, and no matter when you go, there is likely to be rain periods. Autumn is also the time of the popular Thimphu Tsechu (Dance festival) and heralds the arrival of the black-necked cranes to their wintering grounds in central and eastern Bhutan. Not surprisingly, therefore, international visitors also peak in autumn, indeed about half of the total annual tourist numbers arrive between September and November. Avoiding the busiest tourist seasons can save you money and hassle.

The winter is a good time for touring in western Bhutan, bird-watching in the south’s subtropical jungles, and whitewater rafting. The days are usually sunny, cool and pleasant, but it’s quite cold once the sun sets and you will need to pack warm clothing. From December to February, there is often snow in the higher regions and occasional snow in Thimphu. The road from Thimphu to Bumthang and the east may be closed because of snow for several days at a time. It would be best not to plan to visit these regions at this time.

Spring, from March to May, is recognized as the second best time to visit Bhutan for touring and trekking. Though there are more clouds and rain than in the autumn, the magnificent rhododendrons, magnolias and other wildflowers are in bloom and birdlife is abundant. You can get occasional glimpses of the high peaks, but these are not the dramatic unobstructed views possible in autumn. Spring is also the time of the magnificent Paro Tsechu.

Summer, from June to August, is the monsoon season. And what a monsoon! During these three months 500mm of rain falls in Thimphu and up to a meter falls in the eastern hills. The mountains are hidden, the valleys are shrouded in clouds, and roads disappear in heavy downpours and floods. Summer is still a great time to visit Paro, Thimphu and other parts of western Bhutan. In the mellow monsoon light, the vivid green rice paddies contrast with the dark hills and the stark white Dzongs to produce picture-perfect vistas. And the markets are bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables.

A major factor in choosing a time to visit Bhutan, and one that may override considerations of weather patterns is the festival schedule. These colourful events offer a first-hand glimpse of Bhutanese life and provide an opportunity to see the inside of the great Dzongs. It’s possible, and highly recommended, to work at least one festival into a tour or trek program. In recent years overcrowding has become an issue during the major Tsechus at Thimphu and Paro, which coincide with the best seasons. At these times flights and accommodation are heavily booked and you may find you need to pay a premium for accommodation or settle for lower-standard accommodation. You stand a much better chance of getting flights, accommodation and probably a more intimate and rewarding festival experience if you schedule your trip around one of the other cultural events.

Religion & Culture of Bhutan: Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism (Drukpa Kagyu) as the official religion. The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all strands of secular life, bringing with it a reverence for the land and its well being. Annual festivals (Tsechus and Dromches) are spiritual occasions in each district. They bring together the population and are dedicated to the Guru Rinpoche or other deities.

Throughout Bhutan, Stupas and Chortens line the roadside commemorating places where Guru Rinpoche or another high Lama may have stopped to meditate. Prayer flags dot the hills, fluttering in the wind. They allow Bhutanese people to maintain constant communication with the heavens. The Buddhist faith has played a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. Annual festivals (Tsechus and Dromchoes) are spritual occasions in each district. The Dzongs which were built in every district in the Middle Ages as fortresses function as the centre of both religious and secular activities now a days.

Religious beliefs are evidenced in all aspects of life. Prayer flags flutter on hillsides offering up prayers to benefit all nearby sentient beings. Houses each fly a small white flag on the roof indicating the owner has made his offering payments to appease the local god.

Ethnicity: GHO for men and KIRA for women is the national dress of Bhutan which has been worn for the most known history of Bhutan and mandatory for all citizens at all times otherwise punishments are imposed. Suja a salted butter tea is typically served at social gatherings. The doma (betel nut) is considered a customary offering used in greeting.

Accommodation & Food: All the tourist hotels, resorts, guest houses and lodges are selected and approved by the Government of Bhutan. We have selected the best tourist-standard hotels, lodges and guesthouses available. They are comfortable and built and decorated in the traditional Bhutanese style. The best hotels are found in western Bhutan while in the central and eastern parts of the country, accommodation is simpler. Recently some luxury hotels have been built in Bhutan and can be booked for a supplementary charge.

All Government approved hotels are clean and well maintained with hot and cool water facilities, telephones and fax with international dialing. Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine are available in most of the hotels. Bhutanese Delicacies are limited with spicy Chilies and Cheese. However you will be served a Buffet of continental food with some local dishes too. On treks, our trained cooks prepare dishes suitable to western tastes ranging from continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.

Single Room Supplement: Rooms and tent camp accommodations are provided on double occupancy basis. If you wish to reserve a single tent or Hotel room, an additional surcharge is applicable.

Drinks: It is safer to drink bottled or boiled and filtered water. A variety of soft drinks are available in hotels, restaurants and shops in most towns. Bhutanese whisky and rum are produced commercially to a very high standard. The locally distilled alcoholic drink is known either as “Ara” or “Chang” and is made from wheat, millet, corn or rice. Since the degree of alcohol varies, please take care not to drink too much!

Clothing for Bhutan Travel: Comfortable clothing and sturdy, soft-soled shoes are essential for travel in Bhutan. Warm clothing is recommended; and except for summer months, down jackets and woolen sweaters are suggested. In summer, heavy cottons and lightweight woolens will be acceptable. Altitudinal differences account for a wide range of temperatures from day to night the year round. It is, therefore, suggested that clothing be layered so that you can adapt to the changing conditions.

For the trekking trip strong comfortable trekking boots, warm socks, sunglasses, headgear, raincoat, and warm clothing, also include a down Jacket for higher altitude treks and for the evenings. A sleeping bag is a must; medium too heavy is advised. Even in the summer, it can be cool in Bhutan, and it is very cold in winter. Days can be quite warm, especially in the lowlands of Punakha and Phuentsholing, and you could start off driving in the cold of dawn and become uncomfortable midmorning. Use the layering system, starting with thermal underwear and adding a shirt, pile jacket and wind-breaker (or parka) as necessary.

If you are not trekking, you will need:

Long Underwear (for cold weather from November to March)

Cotton trousers

Cotton skirt for women (at least one)

Pile jacket or sweater - even in summer

Down jacket - in winter; not needed in summer

T-shirts or short sleeved cotton shirts (not sleeveless)

Sturdy Sneakers or walking shoes

Sandals or flip-flops

Rain jacket, a poncho or nylon jacket

Dress-up clothes for festivals

Sun hat and sunscreen

You probably won't need bug repellant, but if you do a small bottle of liquid drops is best

All hotels provide sheets, blankets or quilt, and a pillow. Unless you are trekking, you won't need to carry a sleeping bag. Hotels provide heating in winter, either an electric heater or a wood stove which will keep you quite warm.

You will be outside a lot, much of the time at altitudes above 2,500 m (7,800 ft); so there is plenty of sun and wind. Bring a supply of sun cream and lip protection, such as Blistex; these items are not readily available in Bhutan.

Essential Extras: A folding umbrella; especially if traveling during the monsoons of mid June to late September. Rain is possible any time, and is almost certain from June through August.

Be sure to carry ear plugs (and spares) for when you sleep. There are a lot of dogs in Bhutan as the Bhutanese consider them next mankind in the cycle of life. These dogs don't realize this and will sometimes bark at night. There are occasional electric outages throughout the country; so you should always keep a torch (flashlight) beside your bed.

Make sure you bring a pair of good sunglasses for protection in the high altitude.

A Swiss style army knife is a good thing to bring, but with the recent concerns over air travel you may want to bring a folding utility tool such as a Leatherman and make sure to put it in you check-in luggage. Bring a small alarm clock if you need help waking up after all those barking dogs. Not all hotel rooms have telephones or wake-up service.

Transportation: There is no connecting railway transport or domestic flight in the country, except the car road. All the tourist destinations of Bhutan are accessible by road only. Despite high mountains and steep slopes, Bhutan has a fairly well developed network of roads. The roads along the rugged terrain and mountains limit the car speed to 30 km/hour and with tourist buses driving even slower. En-route, you will have spectacular views of landscapes, snow capped mountains, lush green valleys, unpolluted and crystal clear rivers, farmlands and villages.

Guests are provided with 4WD Japanese Toyota vehicles such as Helix and Land-cruiser for a group 1-2 persons, Hiace bus for a group of 3- 7 persons and Deluxe Coaster bus for group 8 - 20 persons. All these vehicles are periodically checked and maintained. The transportation cost is included in the tariff.

Money: The unit of currency is the ngultrum (Nu), which is equivalent to one Indian Rupee. The Indian rupee is also legal tender. ATMs could only be used by local customers in Bhutan therefore if you plan to make a major purchase, consider bringing US dollars in cash. Credit cards are accepted at the government-run Handicrafts Emporium, a few other handicraft shops and some of the larger hotels in Bhutan. You can cash travellers Cheques at any bank, most hotels and the foreign-exchange counter at the airport.

Medicine Consider: If you take any regular medication, bring double your needs in case of loss or theft. You can’t rely on many medications being available from pharmacies in Bhutan. If you have a heart condition, bring a copy of your ECG taken just prior to travelling.

Tour Guises/Tour Escorts/Trekking Guide: All tour groups will be accompanied throughout their stay in Bhutan by an English speaking guide in accordance to government regulations. Guides meet their group’s arrival in Bhutan and remain with them until their departure. Our guides are trained and licensed by the Royal Government of Bhutan and undergo periodic examinations to upgrade their knowledge and services. Our guides are all high school and university educated English speaking guides. Arrangements for other foreign language speaking guides can also be made upon receipt of prior notification.

Tipping: It's not compulsory but it’s becoming a common practice and it’s OK to do so if you want to reward good service. You will usually be accompanied throughout your visit to Bhutan by the same tour guide and probably the same driver. Though it’s against the official Department of Tourism policy, these people expect a tip at the end of the trip. Many leaders on group tours take up a collection at the conclusion of the trip and hand it over in one packet. With a large group this can be a substantial amount and the practice has created high expectations on the part of Bhutanese guides.

If you’ve been trekking, it’s appropriate to tip the guide, cook and waiter. Horsemen also expect tips, but this can be minimal if they are the owners of the horses or yaks and are making money by hiring out their animals. The stakes go up, however, if they have been especially helpful with camp chores and on the trail.

Photography and Filming: Bhutan is perhaps one of the most photogenic places in the world. The landscape, nature, architecture and the people make it a photographer’s paradise. You can always ask by gesture, if it’s ok to take pictures. Also while visiting Dzongs, monasteries, and religious institutions; please follow your guide’s instruction carefully. Photography inside the Dzongs and monuments are not allowed.

The rules and rates for filming in Bhutan differ from that of normal treks and tours. Tourists or professionals intent on filming in Bhutan must abide by the Bhutanese Filing Regulations, 1995, available with the implementing agency, the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Applications for a filming permit must be submitted to the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Electricity: All towns in the urban areas of Bhutan have a mains power supply. The supply of electricity to villages some distance from the road is an ongoing project so many outlying towns are not connected yet. Trekking will take you far from electric supplies. The voltage supply is 220/240 and a two-pinned round plug is used, as in India. Please bring your own travel adaptor since they are not readily available in the shops.

Airport Tax: Airport tax of US$20.00 per person is payable at the time of departure. It is subject to change.

We hope that visitors who make the journey to Bhutan enjoy their experience and return home with glowing memories.